retaining

The word “retaining” means built or used to hold something in place. In plain terms, describes something whose job is to hold another thing in place.

“Retaining” is pronounced rih-TAY-nihng (/ɹɪˈteɪnɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “retaining” used in a sentence: “They built a retaining wall to stop the hillside from sliding.”

“Retaining” is an adjective.

“Retaining” is an uncommon word in modern English.

A retaining wall is a structure built to hold back soil or other material and keep it in place, preventing it from shifting or collapsing. The term uses "retaining" in its sense of being built or used to hold something in place.

Retaining specifically describes holding something in place to stop it moving or escaping, such as soil or water, while supporting more broadly means bearing weight or providing backing, which can include structural, financial, or emotional senses. A retaining wall holds back earth, while a supporting wall bears the load of a building above it.

While retaining most commonly describes physical structures like walls or clips that hold something in place, it can extend to devices or mechanisms designed to keep any object secured, such as a retaining pin or retaining clip in machinery.